And no, it's not (necessarily) Sept. 11, when Alabama hosts Penn State. It's New Year's Day, 2011, when three bowls will measure SEC-Big Ten prowess, all at the same time:
We're waiting for official word that President Obama has put Nick Saban in charge of congressional lobbying on health care reform. We can here his talking points now: "Make his ass quit!" "It's all part of the pwah-cess!" Move over, Rahm. Let a real man take care of the final few votes.
OK, so maybe we're getting a little head of ourselves here and looking beyond the next game, and now doing our jobs, and neglecting the importance of the organization and overlooking the merits of the University of Auburn. Sorry, this Sabanspeak is contagious.
For now, we'll stick to the script and the photo ops and well, read for yourself here on how Alabama's visit Monday with the president turned out. Be sure to take time for the video, and the big
ol' Roll Tide the Boss gives at the end. (Not bad for a neighborhood organizer, not bad at all).
By the way, I hear Saban and Obama got out their I-phones to settle on a date for next year, too.
mg
Southern Pigskin gives us a scorecard to mull as spring practices start revving up.
Some of these names you'll recognize; some you won't. See for yourself. Again, we could quibble . . . Ok, we will quibble.
For starter's, there's a lot more riding at Alabama on the return to health of Dontae Hightower than whether Josh Chapman can fill the shoes (certainly not the pants) of Terrence Cody. Hightower is the rare form of brains and brawn who can take over the leadership of Nick Saban's defense -- IF he can recover from an horrendous knee injury. Chapman will have plenty of help at nose guard. Even with all the talent Saban has assembled, no one is ready to be the defensive quarterback besides Hightower. Cade Foster, the heir apparent to Leigh Tiffin, is a smart choice, given Tiffin led the country last year with 30 field goals, and Alabama doesn't beat Tennessee without him.
Otherwise, the article does shine an extra bright light on quarterback, in particular the new ones vying for snaps at Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. Those schools face almost as many questions about their coaches, but that's a different story for a different time.
mg
Interesting bit of off-season cud to chew: The ESPN analyst picks his top 100 players to watch in 2010. Not sure that means he thinks they're the best or the most interesting. Probably it's a combination of the two.
Alabama has the most names in the list, with 7. Throw in Florida's contributions and the top two programs in the SEC have more than 10 percent of the top players.
There will be some quibbling with some of the rankings. And let me start with mine: John Brantley?
Take a look and tell us what you think.
mg
In a far-reaching contribution to jurisprudence, Texas A&M-Commerce football coach Guy Morriss defended his players from stealing copies of the student newspaper because it's free.
The team members, caught on videotape, took the papers because of an offending headline involving some teammates and a felony. Don't you hate when that happen. Here's another oucher: The athletic director said the players had to have help because he doubted they were smart enough to do the deed on their own.
Morriss, former head guy at Kentucky and Baylor, called his team's actions the best team-building exercise he's ever tried. Wonder if he'll call in for pizza if the team ends up in court.
Read more here.
And here.
mg
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